Nadine Doherty: New Cork leaders must rise after trio retire

Former Donegal captain Nadine Doherty feels the loss of three stalwarts to retirement is a "disappointing" setback for Cork but that it will spur the county's senior women's football team to cultivate new leaders.

Eight-time All-Ireland winner Ciara O'Sullivan and her sister Doireann - a five-time champion with the Rebels - have called time on their inter-county careers, as has another five-time All-Ireland winner in Roisin Phelan.

The retirements come at a time when Cork are struggling at the bottom of Lidl National Football League Division 1 after just one win from five and a points difference of minus-22.

Speaking on RTÉ's Game On, Doherty said losing the trio of players was a blow.

"I suppose timing is everything and it's more of a blow from the outside to us looking in when Cork are bottom of the league," she said.

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"Ciara O'Sullivan, Doireann O'Sullivan her sister and Roisin Phelan, three players, three legends of Cork football who announced their retirement this week, we've been used to them coming into the Cork panel for the championship.

"It's really disappointing for Cork. They're still young - I think Ciara O'Sullivan is 33. You would have felt that they all have a huge amount of football left to play but with Ciara I think she has suffered with injuries over the last number of years and decided to call it a day.

"And Doireann also, I think she had hamstring trouble over the year but Roisin Phelan has been really a constant and a real presence for Cork and probably a